Defensive ace Derrick White just needs two more blocks to become the second player in NBA history, 6-foot-5 or shorter, to record 100 rejections in a season. White could potentially join Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade (2008-09) on the elusive list when his Boston Celtics face the New York Knicks on Thursday.
“If Derrick White gets two blocks over the Celtics final three games, he will become the second player 6’5″ or shorter to have 100 blocks in an NBA season since the stat became official during the 1973-74 season,” ESPN Insights highlighted on X.
“If White breaks the century mark, he’ll be the only player in NBA history with 200 3-PT FG and 100 blocks in the same season.”
Derrick White’s Defensive Impact
White, a lock to make his third All-Defensive Team, has arguably been the league’s best perimeter defender this year. He ranks second in defensive win shares (0.157) and individual defensive rating (107.9) among players averaging at least 30.0 minutes. Furthermore, he has been the defensive anchor for the Celtics, the league’s fourth-best defense, and has led them with a staggering plus/minus of +583 through 75 games.
Besides 98 blocks, White has a team-leading 206 made threes and 86 steals. With just three games left in the season, he’s unlikely to join the rare club of players who’ve recorded 100 steals, 100 blocks and 100 made threes in a season.
Many analysts feel White would have been a prime candidate for Defensive Player of the Year if not for Victor Wembanyama’s dominance.
Celtics Vs. Knicks
White, dealing with a right knee contusion, is a game-time decision to play against the Knicks on Thursday night. The Celtics could potentially sit him out on the front end of the back-to-back before Friday’s clash against the New Orleans Pelicans.
However, with Jaylen Brown (Achilles tendinitis) out, the Celtics could potentially play White, given the stakes of the nationally televised game against the Knicks. A win over the Knicks on Thursday would help the Celtics secure the No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in a possible second-round playoff series.
The game will also mark Jayson Tatum’s return to Madison Square Garden for the first time since he suffered an Achilles tear in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks last year.
“I mean, yeah, I’ve thought about it,” Tatum said ahead of the game.
“I’m not like, thrilled, to go back and play there. Last time I played there, obviously, it was a traumatic experience for me.
“Obviously, I knew at some point I would have to get over that hurdle and play there again. So, it’s going to have to be this Thursday. But it’s not like I’m thrilled about it. But it’s part of it. I decided to come back and play, so I’m not necessarily skipping certain games. I can’t play back-to-backs right now, but I decided to come back and play, so it’s just another game on the schedule.”
If White doesn’t suit up on Thursday, he’ll get a chance to make NBA history in the final two games against the Pelicans on Friday and the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
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